a new VDO Temperature & Fuel Gauge

You are also going to have to deal with the problem of size. The VDO's cases are too small in diameter for the Vintage Speedster's dashboard holes.   

Jan

Sierra Madre Collections, sells a reproduction, that they say was made in partnership with Continental (?) and VDO.

http://www.sierramadrecollecti...el-Level-p26858.html.   Not sure what size dash hole you have but this one is 100mm. 

$181.50 USD

Beck/Special Edition sells a 3 piece combination

Art

continental is the mother company of VDO

Thanks did not know that. So the product Sierra Madre is selling should be good!

I just ordered the one from SMC to replace my original Porsche VDO when I found out how much it was going to cost to modify the original one to work with contemporary sending units.  Had to laugh at myself for previously feeling smug when someone on this forum had advised me to "save up for replica VDO gauges".  For $180, I didn't even have to save up that long.  Making the holes in the dash smaller (previously had 914 gauges) was a challenge.    

Thanks for all the replys!

about this 100 to 105mm issue I will think but I hope I can find a solution with a sealing...

But there is one thing, I'm still not sure about:

On the photo it seems, the ring of the VDO Instrument is chrome matt. The gauges in my Vintage Speedster are glossy chrome. Is it really chrome matt? Does this Instrument optically fit to the others?

 

cheers Jan

 

I assume it matches their tach, which I have and it has a shiny chrome bezel.  I'll confirm here when mine arrives in the next couple of days.  As to the extra 5 mm in the hole, as long as the gauge doesn't pass through the hole (doubtful) you can probably just wrap it with something to center it and no one will be the wiser once it is clamped down.

 

Jan, I'm not familiar with the finish on the new VDO gauges, although I doubt it would match the Chinese replicas.

But the bigger problem will be the size difference. It will be quite noticeable if you try to use one of the new gauges with your existing gauges.

The new gauges were developed by VDO at the request of Intermeccanica and Beck, and are distributed by both of those makers. I believe both stock oversize O-rings to fit around the gauges if you want to install them in a car like your VS that was drilled for the 105mm Chinese replicas. But while this will let you mount the new gauge, it won't be a visual match to your current gauges, at the very least due to the size difference, but probably because of other finish and style details as well.

You could replace all three gauges with the new VDO units, but that would be quite expensive. You could also have a specialty speedometer shop put new, genuine VDO workings inside your Chinese gauge (several shops here in the US do that), but that would probably also be expensive if you could find a German shop to do the work.

It sounds like your gauge may be OK, but the sensors are bad. If so, the most reasonable plan might be to have VS send you new (Chinese) sensors.

But first, before you do anything else, check all the wiring connections on both gauge and sensors - especially the ground connections. If BOTH the fuel gauge and temperature are acting up at the same time, this is a very likely cause - and the most common source of trouble with these gauges.

If you want more information about the new VDO gauges and how they would work in your situation, why not send an email to Beck or Intermeccanica?

Let us know how you make out.

 

After all the problems with the replica gauges, I’m really sure, I want to put in the original VDO…
First the fuel gauge stopped working, the needle was hanging in the top position. I repaired it, but it still didn’t show the correct volume of the Tank.
So I replaced the Fuel sensor with an original VDO Sensor. After this I noticed that this China Gauge seems not to work together with the VDO sensor at all. So I replaced the sensor again.
It worked for some days, than the needle was hanging again :-(

Similar experiences I had with the oil temperature gauge. It always showed low, also when the oil temperature was at 190 degree.
Also I didn’t like the Position the Sensor was mounted by VS. They putted it into the chanal for the Oil overpressure valve. Out of my experience It should be directly in the Sump to show the right temperature.

So I bought a an Aluminium Oil Sump cover plate from CSP, where you can mount the original VDO sensor in the optimal position directly in the sump.
But also here, the VDO sensor doesn’t work with the replica gauges.

The current situation is, that I have all these original VDO Sensors and the CSP cover pate and nothing works well.

After all this Odyssey I made the decision to go to VDO compete.

I think, as long as the new VDO Instrument doesn’t fall through the whole completely, I will find a way to fix it in a good looking way, I hope :-)

Jan Peter Stahl posted:

 

...After all this Odyssey I made the decision to go to VDO compete...

...I think, as long as the new VDO Instrument doesn’t fall through the whole completely, I will find a way to fix it in a good looking way, I hope :-)...

OK, good luck. Beck (and I think Intermeccanica, too) have found a thick O-ring that fits around the new gauges and just fills the gap so you can mount them in the 105mm hole in your dashboard.

With some perseverance, you should be able to find something similar on your own. And if you're brave, you may even ask Beck to sell you one of those O-rings, even though you haven't bought the gauge from them.

(But don't tell them I suggested this!)

 

Sacto Mitch posted:

 

..... You could also have a specialty speedometer shop put new, genuine VDO workings inside your Chinese gauge (several shops here in the US do that), but that would probably also be expensive if you could find a German shop to do the work....

 

I too thought of keeping the cases, glass, and bezels of my Chinese-made gauges and having them fitted out with new VDO internals so as not to have the "small-gauge-in-a- big-hole" issue. But when I contacted Palo Alto Speedometer I got this reply:

"The cost to internally update the Chinese speedometer is not possible, as the VDO Germany mechanism will not fit into the Chinese housing.   The cost update the Chinese tachometer with VDO parts is $590.00.   The cost to ‎update the internals of the temp/fuel combination is $595.00.   The cost to re-screen the gauges to look like the original 356 gauges is $850.00.   This includes the original 356 pointers, and aluminum pointer caps.   It also includes converting the combination gauge to have two warning lights.   These prices do not include return shipping. "

Looks like they can't work on the speedo. Then again, it often matters who you talk to at a company. The response you get might vary. 

 

  

Some have made a nice SSteel plate or brushed aluminum finish to cover the dash and drilled the new holes at the locations they wanted them .... saves redoing the dash.  Specialty work from NH will be expensive.  VDO is supposed to make a KPH speedo but I am still waiting for it to show up. 

My replica VDO combination gauge from SMC arrived today.  Bezel is shiny chrome like the tach (see pics).  Three terminals each on the fuel and temperature gauges: +, G, and something that looks like a ground sign.  Plus is easy, ground the one with the ground sign, and I guess G (gauge?) for sending unit?  

So to settle this once and for all. The new VDO gauges sourced from BECK do NOT fit in the holes in a VS without some sort of modification. Even with the rubber surrounds they are too small. Someone that has done the switch please confirm. I have seen a couple of modified dashes with the stainless or aluminum panel. 

They do fit in the holes with the rubber surrounds

> On Mar 2, 2016, at 8:26 PM, SpeedsterOwners.com <**************> wrote:
>

Hamfist;

I have 914 gauges so I'm not familiar with the 356 gauges, but could the G be for the generator light???? Perhaps someone will chime in who has installed these.

What's with suppliers?  SMC actually has a category for Replica. Would it be so damn hard to send instructions? If they understood the "replica" category, they would know that "it ain't one size fits all"

And forget about measurements, I've called multiple times, and you'd think it was brain surgery.

Good luck with your new gauge, looks cool!

Art

Tom, I am sorry I do not think I asked the question correctly. I understand the new VDO gauges will fit as they are smaller. My question is Beck supplies a rubber surround that is supposed to fill the holes in a VS. There are a few posts in the past that indicated they are the exact same surrounds as the ones provided with a VS. If that is the case the VDO gauges will be too small to fill the hole properly. I guess the question is are the Beck supplied rubber surrounds in fact larger to compensate for the 5mm difference in size? 

 

hamfist posted:

My replica VDO combination gauge from SMC arrived today.  Bezel is shiny chrome like the tach (see pics).  Three terminals each on the fuel and temperature gauges: +, G, and something that looks like a ground sign.  Plus is easy, ground the one with the ground sign, and I guess G (gauge?) for sending unit?  

I think, you are right!

Usualy Instruments have a pin named "S" for sensor

"Geber" is the german word for "sensor" so G = S ;-)

Will you put your Instrument in such a 105mm whole in the dash? Can you report how it fits?

 

Thanks

All of the Chinese gauges are larger diameter whether used by Beck or VS. When one uses the new VDO gauges with the rubber surround, they fit the larger holes from the Chinese gauges.

> On Mar 2, 2016, at 8:49 PM, SpeedsterOwners.com <**************> wrote:
>

I don't have a 105 mm hole to try it out in, but I measured across the face of my new VDO replica gauge and it is just about 105 mm from outside to outside of the bezel, so it's likely to pass through a 105 mm hole, or close to it.  I agree using a rubber surround should do the trick.  Speedometer and combination gauges in 911 SC's  and Carreras are also about 105 mm and Porsche offers a "rubber ring" 91164190200 for $11.50 (discounted to $8.57 at Gaudin).  Might be worth a try.  

I just wanted to post the results:

yesterday the gauge arrived here in Germany. I ordered it at "egauges.com" in US on the first view the instrument looks well made. The colors of the numbers are very close to the vintage speedster Instruments. Not 100% but o.k.

As we know the gauge is smaller than the vintage one, It drops completely through the whole in the dash. But with some duct tape arround the Instrument and additionally the sealing of the vintage speedster it fits in a propper way :-)

While mounting I figured out a big challanges but I solved it:

the fuel sender for the new Instrument works exactly the other way arround, means, with empty gast tank it shows "full" and with full tank it shows empty. I don't knoow why, cause the part number of the sender should be the same?!

So I had to cut off the arm of the sender and had to solder it in a 180 degree rotated position. Now it works and shows full when full :-)

After one day playing around with it, it works and I'm satisfied with the results.

Cheers

 

 

Jan,

As Craig said, instead of using duct tape you could use the 100mm Porsche gauge rubber gasket. The gasket fits around the gauge and fills the 105mm hole perfectly. The benefit is that they have a built in 110mm rubber flange which accents.the.chrome bezel nicely.

http://www.stoddard.com/91164190200.html

I run original 356 gauges in my car and use these exact same units for all three of my gauges. 

Ted 

As discussed in other post, VS have a larger gauge hole... On my 2013 this is what I found.( I'm sure every car is slightly different.

1) repo gauges--

- gauge hole is drilled to 110mm.  Two of mine measured 112mm

- Chinese repo gauges are 105mm in diameter.

- VS uses the Porsche style rubber gasked to hold the 105mm gauge in the 110mm hole.

- the gauges chrome flange ring extend to 110mm, so the rubber gasket is not visible/ barely visible... Looks like it belongs.

 

2) with original gauges--- i have one late '56 and two '57 gauges restored by Palo Alto Speedo ( Harmut is awesome by the way)---  to install original 100mm gauges on to the larger 110-112mm hole you will need to----

- make a spacer ring to fill the gap/ hold the gauge... The rubber gasket alone will not fill the gap.  There are some great post on this site on how to make your own gasket/spacer on the site... ( duck tape would work as well).

Sample picture of a member of SOC who built his own spacers... Looks good.   One could alsopaint the rubber with Eastwood Elastiwrap metallic silver matched to the cars color code to make the gasket blend in... I sprayed a sample, and it matched prety close.

 

- OR reglass the larger VS holes, and have 100-105mm holes re-drilled.

... I have been traveling tons for work these past few months and unfortunately have yet to finish my install.... I'm going down the "build your own spacer/gasket and color match to blend"... And if I don't like the way it looks, I will re-glass next winter.

hopefully I will get home soon.... It's been a busy busy couple of weeks, going on months actually, traveling in Europe for business...

From sunny Spain, on my way to Portugal.

cheers

 Ps-  the madness was storm with this project for me.   I also had Harmut rebuild the Chinese gauges w/ VDO guts, and original pointers/center caps.... Re-doing the faces to match originals was price prohibitive for me ( it would be cheaper to reglass and repaint the dash at a local corvette shop)., and the light would not shine through the face back which I like when driving in the dark.)..  Overall, the repos with the VDO facelift look great..., the only thing that bugs me is that the Chinese font is not as pretty as the German font, and the speedo goes to 130mph.... In lieu of 120mph.... If it was not for yhT, I would re- install the Chinese repos and just sell/ repurpose the originals.

thanks for the tips! but I think it fits also wit the VS rubber and some tape, I don't see, how the Porsche rubber gasket could improve this, see pic... :-)